Stevie Jay is a UK and destination wedding photographer based in Yorkshire.

She photographs relaxed and alternative weddings in a natural, honest and documentary style.

She says of the couple and their day…

“Karen and David found me through a Facebook advert.”

“After chatting about the initial details, they were happy to go ahead and book with me.”

“The Angel Inn and Wine Cave is lovely and very “them” and the area in which they are set is very beautiful, calm and quiet.”

“I started the day with a drive straight up to the Angel Inn, where I met Karen and her daughter for the bridal preparations.”

“We enjoyed coffee and biscuits together whilst the hair and make up team worked their magic. It wasn’t until it was time to put the dress on that the nerves came out.”

“Part way through the preparations I managed to sneak out and get some shots of groom, David, with his men outside.”

“The three of them finished getting dressed, helped each other with their button holes and then made their way inside, ready to start the ceremony.”

The service takes place just across the road in The Wine Cave. With low light, scattered candles, fairy lights and stone walls, The Wine Cave is perfect for anyone wanting a small and intimate wedding.”

“Both Karen and David were very nervous before and during the ceremony and I remember them having to stop a few times during the service so Karen could dab her eyes again!”

“In terms of styling of their day the Ferrero rocher bouquet was a hit and such a cool idea!”

“The couple were well up for going for some relaxed portraits before their meal, as it gave them time to themselves”

With a 4pm ceremony time, we finished the day with those relaxed and natural couples portraits before the sun went down. Hetton is full of quiet, country lanes, so it is a perfect area to spend some quality time together to reflect on the day.”

“Following that I took my leave waving them off to their intimate family celebration.”

I hand over to Bride Karen..

How did you meet?

“Initially we met through work 13 years ago where I was David’s manager, but got together after a work reunion 9 years ago.”

Tell us about the Engagement…

“We got engaged on Christmas Eve 2015.”

“We had family staying over from both the US and UK, and we opened a present each Christmas Eve.”

“When it came to my turn, David handed me a box as he got down on one knee and asked me to Marry him.”

Tell us about your wedding planning journey

“I started planning more or less straight away, David could have waited longer.”

“We wanted a small intimate wedding with just close friends and family.”

“It needed to be something slightly quirky we didn’t want a church or registry office wedding.”

“We had recently moved back to Yorkshire from Lincolnshire so wanted something that shouted out Yorkshire.”

“The Wine Cave at Angel Inn is the only place we visited after lots of online research, we knew straight away it was ideal for what we wanted as regards the venue and location.”

“We love Tapas and they were very accommodating with our request, this isn’t on their usual menu but were more than happy to accommodate it.”

What was the theme /colour palette of your Big Day?

“Our wedding didn’t have an initial colour palette or theme, it grew organically as planning started.”

“I knew I wanted Ferrero Rocher in my flower bouquet , which then spread to the maid of honour and the grooms & best man button holes after discussions with my florist.”

“My daughter was maid of honour and I’d said she could have whatever dress she wanted, she went for mink, this is where the mink came in. My dress was ivory so we went with mink, pink, ivory and gold.”

“We also love our cocktails so went for a cake that was made up of cupcakes in cocktail glasses, the colours on these brought all our colours together.”

“The invitations we sent were burnt onto wood, like you would get on wine caskets. We then stuck with the wood theme with wooden place name/coasters and a wooden guest book tree.”

“Ferrero Rocher also made another appearance as a favour for all guests, with alcoholic cocktail lollies.”

What was the best bit of your day?

“My best bit was just after we were pronounced husband and wife, the relief was immense as I had been pretty emotional throughout the ceremony and it meant I could just enjoy the rest of the day with my husband and close family and friends.”

“David said his favourite moment was seeing me in my dress for the first time.”

What advice would you give to other couples getting married?

“Don’t say “don’t do it” haha like David did.”

“I would say remember it’s your day to become husband and wife and do what you want to do and what makes you happy.”

Hi, I'm Alison and welcome to my Wedding Blog. I am crazy about love & crazy about Weddings and feed my zany marriage addiction by sharing your love stories.
I have been married to my wonderful IT Geek husband Neill for 12 years, and we have two amazing kids who inspire me to succeed, and to grow as a person, and as a Businesswoman.
I have a huge heart and am fiercely loyal and expect the same from others. I have lots of patience and have been called a good listener and I do have the knack of being a wee bit of a chatterbox.
I love chocolate and jelly babies ( perhaps a little too much), I love walks in the countryside and feeling at one with nature and I love travel and exploring and wish I could do a little bit more.
I am a wee bit obsessed with property websites and if I came into money would own a string of wedding venues so I could share the love even more....